Baba, please come in my heart, in the deep core of my mind. You are my
everything– You are my dhya’na, You are my jinana, You are my Ista. You
are most sacred, holy, and sweetness Personified. Baba, You are the
controller of my entire existence. Keeping Your love and divine guidance
in my heart I am moving on path which You have graciously shown me. By
Your grace I go on remembering Your name constantly. That is my strength
of forward movement. Baba, please grace me by coming in my heart…

== BABA STORY: MARGII SAVED FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH ==

~ TAKING RISK TO PROTECT THE HELPLESS AND HOW BABA SAVES ~

Namaskar,
Here is the story of how Baba saved our margii brother, Harihar Pandey,
from the jaws of death.

YOUNG GIRL’S STRUGGLE AT VASANT PACHANII FESTIVAL

In 1957, Harihar Pandey was holding a clerical post in the Indian
military and was stationed in Panagar of Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh.

One of the top offers of his battalion was Major NK, who had a young
daughter studying for her baccalaureate degree.

During Vasant Pachanii festival in the Spring, the daughter was walking
across the military compound when a jeep pulled up alongside her.

At that time, our margii brother Hariharji had just finished his lunch
and was going out for a walk– it was around 1pm. He noticed that up
ahead a jeep had stopped next to a young girl. Initially he did not
think much of it.

Then he saw that the driver of the jeep was grabbing onto the girl’s
hand and pulling her, and the young girl was struggling and trying
desperately to walk in the opposite direction.

Seeing this, Harihar began to run towards the jeep in order to save the
girl.

HARIHAR COMES TO THE SCENE

When he arrived at the scene, then he saw that the young girl was scared
and in tears, and that the driver of the jeep who was grabbing the girl
was none other than Hariharji’s boss, N. Bhattacarya, the 2nd company
commander.

Immediately, Harihar saluted his commander and then pleaded with him to
let the girl go.

Commander Bhattacarya was irritated by Harihar’s arrival and began to
scold him and then he dropped the girl’s hand as he smacked Harihar.

Then Harihar said, ‘If you do not leave the girl alone, then I will drag
you to the ground, sit on your chest, and beat you’.

Hearing this and seeing Harihar’s strength of mind, then Bhattacarya
stood still, and the terrified girl left. After looking into each
other’s eyes, then Commander Bhattacarya and Harihar parted ways.

THAT AFTERNOON

Harihar decided to go directly home where he remained for some hours.
Then he received word that he was to perform guard duty that night in
front of Commmander Bhattacarya’s house. Immediately, Harihar knew that
this was trouble; it was some type of punishment or trick. Because
although he was in the military, Harihar worked in an office and rarely
did things like guard duty, let alone night guard duty in front of
Bhattacarya’s residence. So he knew that he had to be extremely careful.

NIGHT TIME ENCOUNTER

That night, Hariharji was vigilant as he attended his post. He was
keeping alert in all directions. Then sometime after midnight, Harihar
heard someone approaching him from behind.

Harihar turned around and yelled, ‘Stop! Halt!’.

Then Harihar saw that the person approaching him was his boss, Commander
Bhattacarya. So Harihar saluted him.

Then Commander Bhattacarya began his tirade, ‘Who do you think you are?
Why did you come running when I was with that girl? Do you think you are
some kind of moralist?! What is wrong with you!!’.

In this way Commander Bhattarcarya was abusing Harihar.

Then Commander Bhattacarya sneered and said, ‘You know, in the military
it is very easy to kill someone and cover it up’.

In his fury, Bhattacarya continued, ‘I am going to kill you now, bury
you, and then proclaim to one and all that you were trying to escape and
run from your duty. After that I will arrest your entire family.’

Then Bhattacarya took out his revolver and pressed the barrel of the gun
against Harihar’s chest. Bhattacarya’s eyes had the look of murder. The
situation was ugly and tense.

Harihar was standing there totally still, not knowing what to do. Then
from behind him he heard Baba’s voice: ‘Kill him, shoot him, don’t miss,
otherwise he is going to kill you!’.

Harihar wanted to turn around and look towards where the voice was
coming from, but he dare not look back.

Again Baba’s voice came: ‘Take action, kill him, he is going to kill
you, do not delay even one more second!’.

(Note: Decades and years later when Harihar would tell this story, then
when describing Baba’s voice, his body would become full of goosebumps
and his mind would run towards Parama Purusa.)

In that next instant, Harihar somehow reached for his own gun, and before
he could think anything, his own fingers just “pulled the trigger.”

He had shot Bhattacarya, and Commander Bhattacarya fell to the
ground.

Harihar saw his commander lying there and then pointed his gun again and
shot him a second time to ensure he was completely dead.

ALL SOLDIERS COME RUNNING

After the sound of the second gunshot, sirens and alarms were sounded in
that military compound and people came running from all directions. All
the soldiers reached to that place.

They all saw that Commander Bhattacarya had been killed.

Then Harihar crouched down in a fighting stance, loaded his gun, and
forcefully announced, ‘If anyone comes even one stop closer I will shoot!’.

All the soldiers stayed where they were– frozen.

They understood that when Harihar had already killed his commander then
he was capable of doing anything. And from Harihar’s side, he was
thinking that, ‘Already I am going to get capital punishment for killing
my superior, then killing more people will not make things any worse’.
He had nothing more to lose.

The entire situation was totally tense.

Then our margii brother Harihar shouted out, ‘I want your promise that
no one will torture or punish me. I want justice’.

Nobody knew what to do or what to say.

‘I WILL GIVE YOU JUSTICE’

Then the top commander, CF Warden arrived. He was very understanding and
intelligent. He said, ‘I will give you justice. If you are right, if you
are innocent in all of this, I will give you justice, just drop your gun’.

So Harihar put his gun down and was arrested.

He was taken to the military jail and then quickly brought to the judge,
just a few days later.

THE JUDGE’S QUESTION

The judge simply asked him, ‘Did you shoot your commander?’.

Harihar replied, ‘Yes’.

And the hearing with the judge was over.

This went on for weeks. Harihar would get called to the military court,
the judge would ask the same question, and Harihar would give the same
reply.

The whole thing appeared to be hopeless and Harihar began to get
frustrated and wondered why the judge was not asking him for any more
details.

In that desperate mood, Harihar sent one of the new margiis that he had
created, and told him to go to Baba. Harihar instructed Umashankar to
tell Baba that I am in jail and that the situation is not at all good.

GOING TO BABA

Umashankar set out on his journey and reached to where Baba was. As
Umashankar was a new margii, he had never been to see Baba before. This
was his first time and he did not know what to do. Many people were
around and he did not know how he would be able to see Baba.

Before Umashankar could even put forth his request, Baba had asked PS
Dada Satyananda if anyone had come from Panagar.

In that way Umashankar was brought before Baba.

Umshankar was thinking that he would tell Baba all the details and go
over the entire story, but before he could say anything, Baba told,
‘Tell Harihar to do sadhana and everything will be alright’.

Umashankar kept trying to tell Baba more of the details, but each time
Baba would interrupt him and say, ‘Tell Harihar to do sadhana and
everything will be alright’.

Umashankar then returned to Panagar in an unhappy mood. He felt he did
not get to tell Baba anything. Umashankar conveyed to Harihar all that
had transpired during his visit with Baba and Harihar smiled and said,
‘Baba understands everything’.

MORE ABOUT HARIHAR’S TIME IN JAIL

By this time, Harihar had been in jail for a while– a few months had
gone by. He had dreamed of Baba on numerous occasions. Plus every week
he was being called before the judge.

Harihar’s supervisors were telling him to change his statement, but
Harihar refused and insisted that he wanted justice.

FATEFUL MEETING WITH JUDGE

Finally, one day the judge called Harihar and again asked him, ‘Did you
shoot your commander?’.

Then Harihar replied, ‘Your Honor, I want to say something, but I wish
to tell you in a confidential way, not in front of this entire courtroom
crowd’.

The judge cleared the courthouse, and then in a calm, deliberate manner,
Harihar explained the entire course of events to the judge. He told how
he saw the girl, how someone was grabbing her, how that turned out to be
Commander Bhattacarya, how Bhattacarya then threatened him and gave him
night guard duty, and finally about the epic scene in the middle of the
night. All these things he carefully told to the judge.

The judge listened and took notes.

Afterwards, Harihar returned to his cell and the judge began to
investigate the case. Step by step, line by line, he was astonished to
discover that all that Harihar told was true. The judge talked to many
people who confirmed what had happened.

JUDGMENT DAY COMES

On one special day known as judgment day, all the offenders get dressed
in their normal clothes and are allowed to participate in a military
parade and then are brought forth before the judge for the final decision.

When Harihar stood before the judge, many thought that he would be
sentenced to death and hung for killing his supervising officer.

The judge asked all to rise as he spoke: ‘The decision of the court is
not Harihar Pandey is not guilty and he is to be set free under certain
conditions. He is not to have home leave for 5 years, he cannot stay in
any posting for more than 1 month, and he is not to be promoted for ten
years. Under these conditions he is set free’.

Hearing this, everyone cheered and celebrated on Harihar’s behalf.

A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

Even though he was set free, it was generally thought that Harihar would
have to live under a difficult set of rules.

But Harihar thought, ‘Although I may not get home leave for 5 years,
each and every month I will be transferred and in so doing I will be
granted ten days to reach my new post’.

And sure enough, after one month, Harihar received his transfer orders
and had ten days to reach his designation. In that ten day period,
Harihar went straight to Baba, and Baba showered Harihar with immense
love and grace.

During that sweet visit, Baba said, ‘It is duty of a margii to fight for
dharma and that is what you did.’

And so it was that during so many of his monthly transfers, Harihar was
blessed to be able to go see Baba.

Another point in all of this is that if Harihiar had not done this deed
then his jail samskara would have been fulfilled in some other way. So
by doing this act Harihar did two things: (1) He stood up for dharma by
saving a defenseless girl; and (2) he fulfilled his jail samskara.

CONCLUSION

If we follow dharma and fight against injustice then Baba will always
protect us. That is His divine decree. In his life, Harihar stood up for
dharma and protected a defenseless young lady, and by His grace Baba
saved Harihar from the jaws of death.

Baba says, “Men and women are human beings having equal dignity. As the
physical strength of women is less than that of men, the latter should
always endeavour to save the prestige of women. As the mothers of men,
women can claim this much as a right. Special attention should be paid
to the comforts of women during festivals, at spiritual conferences, and
on other occasions.” (CC-1, ‘Social Relationship Between Men and Women’)

Namaskar,
Gurucharan

Note 1: MY ELDER BROTHER

In his book, ‘My Elder Brother’, Manas Ranjan Sarkar, Baba’s younger
brother, tells how one day in his childhood he got into a fight at
school to protect someone, but in turn he himself was beaten up. When he
returned home everyone told him not to engage in fighting and that he
did wrong, but when Baba saw him, Baba praised his younger brother and
said, ‘You did a great job’. Manas Ranjan became so happy hearing this.

So always Baba supports those who uphold dharma– He always supports
those who protect the weak and the helpless.

********************************************
The Only Duty

Parama Purusa BABA says, “The only duty of a human being is to move along
the path of righteousness until he reaches the Supreme Entity, until he
touches the sweet feet of Supreme Entity.” (DMC, Ananda Nagar, 29 May 88)
********************************************

Baba, You are the be-all and end all of my life. You are my everything.
I will spend my whole life singing Your song and propagating Your glory, by
Your grace. I will satiate my heart, by pleasing You in all the ways: doing
Your sadhana and executing the work that You like.

Baba, it is the eternal law of this creation that whoever has taken
birth will go. Coming and going is the Cosmic rule. Nobody can take
anything along with them. Only one thing goes along with — Your love &
Your devotion. That remains always along with– in this world as well as
that. Baba, I will only get You when I move on Your path ceaselessly, by
Your grace.

Baba, I do not know where You reside. Wherever You are, close or
distant, please always keep me next to Your eyes. Baba, by Your grace, with
the pull of my longing and love, I will bring You close. And when You are
sitting next to me then I will sing the song for You to listen to, up to
Your heart’s content.

Baba, let every moment of my life pass in pleasing You. Baba, please
shower Your karuna on me so I can march forward on the path which reaches
to You…

== HOW TO IMPROVE SADHANA: PART 3 ==

Namaskar,
It is commonly known that Baba has given the Sixteen Points for the health,
hygiene, and welfare of the entire society. And by following His natural
teachings of Sixteen Points, sadhakas will live longer lives and the entire
humanity will flourish. All this is well understood and wholeheartedly
accepted by each and every Ananda Margii.

In that spirit of forward movement and sharing here following is a short,
exploratory look into the second component of our Sixteen Points. Hopefully
others will also contribute their reflections and thoughts on this
important topic.

WHERE CIRCUMCISION CAME FROM AND HOW IT GO SPREAD AROUND

First off, as a reminder, we should keep in mind that the practice of
circumcision is the invention of the Semitic religion(s). And that their
common followers became habituated to it. This is the basic history. And
Baba Himself says like that.

Yet in revolutionary fashion Baba also unveils how this dogmatic practice of
circumcision got spread around and absorbed from one religion to the next.

Baba says, “Long ago the Jews started practising circumcision. When Moses
converted some of his contemporaries to Judaism, and later when Mohammed
converted some local people to Islam, neither prophet dared to instruct
their new followers to discard the old customs they followed, consequently
the old customs continued after their conversion.” (PNS-21)

Hence in the above quote Baba is revealing the fact how some prophets like
Mohammed etc just accepted this unnatural practice of circumcision in order
to establish their own teachings amongst the people. Otherwise they could
not have converted them.

Altogether then, this is one display of how a particular dogma gets
transferred from one religious community to the next. It is just like how
Shankaracarya incorporated numerous dogmatic Buddhist teachings into
Hinduism. (Reference: ‘Religious Dogmas’, PNS-16)

And not only that, here below Baba furthermore exposes the way in which
practices like circumcision become the common way in certain communities.

Baba says, “Human beings readily accept traditions without seeking the
reasons behind them. Since ancient days the semites have been observing the
practice of circumcision. Moses and Mohammed accepted this system which
today has become tradition.” (HS-1)

By all this we can begin to think and decide what way Baba is guiding us to
move ahead. And we should discuss what should be our approach.

Here are some further things for consideration.

THE NATURAL WAY OF CREATION

As sadhakas we should always remember that Parama Purusa Himself has
designed the human body and this entire creation in a particular way.
Accordingly, all His designs have a special benefit and satisfy an
important need. Then why should we disturb His creative process by
unnecessarily cutting part of the human body at the time birth– as is done
with the practice of circumcision. Rather cutting goes counter to the
natural process. Just like how Baba says that cutting the body as a means
of birth control is extremely dangerous as it goes against natural law.

OUR APPROACH IN AM

Thus we should consider whether at the time of birth if there is a need to
circumcise male offspring. Or is doing so unnatural. And not just then but
right up until adolescence the foreskin can remain attached as is and there
will not be any harm. The medical evidence suggests this very idea. So the
natural benefit is there that it will protect the glands and the entire
region from infection, plus other advantages.

And then when one reaches adolescence, then for reasons of hygiene and to
protect against germs one can keep the foreskin pulled back. So we should
think and consider what is Baba’s explicit direction in Sixteen points.
One distinct approach is:

(1) To allow the foreskin to remain as is from birth up until one reaches
puberty;
(2) At the start of adolescence the foreskin should be kept away-pulled back.

UNUSUAL CASES

Only in a few, rare cases whereby upon reaching adolescence the foreskin
will not pull back properly– and it will only come up partially– then in
that uncommon instance a small incision can be made to loosen the foreskin
and allow it to pick up.

So really speaking then only a small cut need be made; there is no need to
remove or cut away the entire section. Just a small incision is made, but
in common parlance some might say that a circumcision was done. But just
for lack of a more precise term they speak like that. But again all this
happens only in those rare occasions– less than 0.01% of the time.

MOST OF THE WORLD FOLLOWS THE NATURAL WAY

And indeed all around the globe countless civilisations and communities
follow this natural process of keeping the foreskin. From India to Africa
to the South Pacific and around the globe it is like that. Rather only
those limited subsections of society which got affected by the dogmatic
ways of the Semitic religions adopted this practice of performing
circumcisions at the time of birth.

By Baba’s grace all Ananda Margiis are now understanding the value
and teaching of this point – we know that circumcision is not part of
Sixteen Points. The cloud of dogma surrounding this confusion has
been lifted.

Baba says, “The flame of a lamp lights up countless lamps. The touch of a great
personality wakes up innumerable sleeping hearts. In the same way, the eternal
glow of the boundless élan vital of Cosmic Consciousness has been illuminating
the life-lamp of universal humanism since time immemorial, is illuminating it,
and in future will do so even more intensely. That is why I say, the future
of the human race is not dark, rather it is strikingly resplendent. So proceed
on, ignoring the frowns of darkness.” (Ananda Vanii #49)

Namaskar,
Dharma

Note 1: SOCIETAL TRENDS

Now more and more in the general society people from all walks of life are
recognising the inherent value and beauty of keeping the body in its
natural state upon birth– and turning away from the old-fashioned, Semitic
practice of circumcision. And in their search for a natural way various
communities have begun making recommendations which are remarkably similar
to the teachings which Baba has given on this point. Hence, in this time of
grand transformation, even this point is not going overlooked. So we should
all keep our – sharp eyes, think deeply on Baba’s guidelines, and not lag
behind. Rather, by Baba’s grace, let us always remain a step ahead so that
we may guide and help the common masses in their search for a new way of
living.

Note 2: UNNATURAL CUTTING OF THE BODY YIELDS A NEGATIVE RESULT

Baba says, “Using birth control methods which deform the bodies of men and
women or destroy their reproductive powers forever cannot be supported,
because at any moment this may result in a violent mental reaction in
them.” (AFPS)

Similarly cutting the body unnecessarily in order to pursue the dogmatic
Semitic practice of circumcision is not supported by natural law.

Note 3: SOMETHING TO CONSIDER

A couple persons may be thinking that this second point is an open and shut
case– i.e. that there is nothing to discuss or ponder. Because either at
the time of birth males are circumcised, or, if not, one will have to pull
back the foreskin later on. As if both the options are equally fine and
good. This might easily be some people’s perspective.

Or even some may be working under the assumption that circumcision is the
favoured manner or ideal course; and that only if this procedure is not
done then, in consequence, one will have to manage by pulling the foreskin
back. A few may be adhering to this outlook.

After all circumcision is such a common practice in various parts of the
world. At the time of birth I was also circumcised, as my laokik parents
are not margiis.

So as Ananda Margiis we should take a look if really the matter is like
that and then explore what is the proper and natural way.

Kindly write your thoughts.

Note 4: SIXTEEN POINTS IS APTA VAKYA– ETERNAL TRUTH

It is our moral duty to follow each and every point as sincerely as possible.

Baba says, “What comes from Parama Purusa is Apta Vakya (eternal truth)…
You should follow only Apta Vakya. You should remember that the Sixteen
Points are your Apta Vakya.” (AV-2)

The angel with panoramic colours has taken advent in the life: It has
saturated and inundated this whole universe with love. Now nobody is alien;
nobody is distant; everyone is close– my own kith and kin.

The new dawn has come. Now the vast and meagre are sitting together on
one seat. There is no difference between high and low. The divine angel has
captivated everyone’s heart. It has coloured everyone with its own divine
colour. The angel is showering its smile with boundless affection upon one
and all and narrating the tale of divinity.

The angel has inundated this entire universe with the flooding of divine
effulgence– wiping away all cimmerian darkness. And it proclaims that, ‘I
am watching over one and all with love and care. I am eternally along with
each and every one through my ota and prota yoga. I will always remain with
you.’ It also says, ‘Bear in mind that humanity will be victorious and the
staticity will be destroyed’.

The divine angel furthermore proclaims, ‘O human beings, keep your mind
free from all complexes. Do not consider who is “high” or who is “low”. Do
not think that any unit entity is lowly. Always remember that the
collection of all the units is the Cosmic. No one is outside; everyone is
part of the singular divine Entity. O human beings, throw away your heavy
load of samskaras, wipe away the stain of the past, and surrender your
heart to the Divine Entity– Parama Purusa. Victory is yours’…

Note: In the above Prabhat Samgiita, this parii– this divine angel– is
none other than Parama Purusa Himself.

== SHAMBUKA NOT SUDROKA ==

Namaskar,
There is one very important story from the Ramayana that is recounted in
our AM books, but due to human error it has been published incorrectly.

We should all take careful note, update our own personal editions, and
ensure that next time it is published correctly by contacting our AM
Publications Dept.

This story is of great significance to many, and non-margiis should not
think that we have the facts wrong – that will only lead them to doubt
other aspects of our AM teachings.

RAMA KILLS A SO-CALLED SHUDRA

Here is the key story from the mythological epic, the Ramayana, that was
wrongly printed in the “Suppression, Repression and Oppression” chapter
of Prout in a Nutshell Part 17.

In this below paragraph, Baba is giving the teaching that it was wrong
for Rama to kill a so-called shudra because he was performing worship.
And the name of that so-called shudra is “Shambuka”, but those who noted
down Baba’s discourse wrote “Sudroka”. That is the critical error that
is made. And that is how it got wrongly printed.

Baba says, “In the mythological epic the Ramayana, Ram is the apostle of
capitalism and Aryan supremacy while Ravana represents the non-Aryans.
Ram is called “Marya’da’ Pursus’ottama”. What is Marya’da’ Purus’ottama?
When Parama Purus’a comes into the world His actions and behaviour will
be just like that of Parama Purus’a although He is in human form. This
is the meaning of Marya’da’ Purus’ottama. However, Ram did not behave
like Parama Purus’a – he was not up to this standard. He killed Sudroka,
a non-Aryan, when he was performing worship, and he killed him out of a
sense of Aryan supremacy. At that time people believed that only Aryans
and not non-Aryans should perform worship, but this dogmatic view cannot
be supported.” (PNS-17)

So there are three things going on:
1) Baba is proving that Rama is mythological and that Rama’s actions
go against dharma. That is quite clear in the above paragraph.
2) Baba is taking a dharmic stand against casteism.

The above two points are correctly portrayed in the above quote.
It is this third point that is incorrect. And when any scholar,
historian, or interested party reads this following point, then
they may disregard all of Baba’s teachings’s therein.

3) Baba is stating that the name of the name of the shudra that
Rama killed is Shambuka, but this got wrongly printed as Sudroka.

So this is indeed a critical error because in this teaching Baba is
condemning the very caste system which the Ramayana advocates. Today,
there are many so-called harijans and members of the Dalit community who
regularly reference this story as proof that Rama and his teachings
about casteism are unjust.

Those students and scholars of the Ramayana will question that if the name
is wrong, then so many other points are probably wrong as well. In that
way they will be suspicious of Baba’s dharmic teachings.

That is why this story is of such significance and that is why we should
have every aspect of the story correct. Unfortunately, the name of the
slain so-called shudra was wrongly printed, and that error will
naturally cast doubt on the authenticity of the rest of the story.

WHY IT WAS WRONGLY PRINTED

The next question is how or why it got wrongly printed. One potential
reason is that Baba gave this discourse in Kolkata on 13 November 1989.
And the Ramayana is not well studied in Bengal. So the Dadas noting down
Baba’s discourse and / or the Dadas in the publication department were
not familiar with the name of so-called shudra. Nor did they go back and
ask Baba the exact name. Only they knew that the slain person was a
“shudra” and with that memory the name “Sudroka” was born.

The situation can be likened to if you met someone from France and
forgot their name and in trying to remember it you just started calling
them Frances.

Likewise those Dadas knew he was a shudra so they just printed his name
as Sudroka.

When the real name of that so-called shudra was Shambuka. And this
Shambuka character is well known in and around south India and
everywhere that the Ramayana is studied. Hence many scholars will be
quite skeptical of our version even though Baba is giving a dharmic
teaching.

SUCH A SIGNIFICANT STORY ~ MUST BE CORRECTED

Again, this is a significant story because many believe Rama to be the
incarnation of the Lord, yet in this account Baba is proving that Rama
is not the Lord but a figure of human imagination, and the proof is that
Rama’s actions are not befitting that of Taraka Brahma or Marya’da’
Pursus’ottama. No God in human form would follow caste dogma and kill a
“shudra” simply because that so-called shudra was engaging in worship.
No just or noble person can do like that – least of all Parama Purusa.

Hence Baba is demonstrating that Rama is not Parama Purusa incarnate.
And all those fighting against caste dogma use this story as the
critical evidence that Rama’s teachings on casteism are unjust and not
to be followed.

When our Marga upholds dharma and fights dogma in all spheres of life,
then this critical story must be printed properly, lest good people
become skeptical of all AM teachings.

The other side of the coin is that those in the Marga who are not
familiar with this story will verily think that the name “Shudroka” is
correct, in which case they may wrongly preach the story to others. And
learned people will think that we do not know we are talking about. They
will doubt us – and rightly so.

Finally, this wrong teaching about killing “shudras” in the Ramayana
undermines human unity. It totally goes against our movement of ek
manava samaj, or one human society.

Thus the proper name “Shambuka” must be updated in Prout in a Nutshell
Part 17 and all places where this discourse appears.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace all His teachings are pristine and pure and it is
our bounden duty to ensure our AM books perfectly reflect Baba’s
divine gospel.

Baba says, “Common domestic animals are individualistic by nature. They are
very self-centered. One animal does not usually come to the aid of another.
Domestic animals are neither sincere nor devoted to their masters. In fact,
they do not have the least sympathy for their masters’ interests. Wherever
they are, they live only for themselves.” (PNS-15, p.42)

Note 1: There are some who suffer from this dogma– thinking that their
pets are quite dedicated to them. Hence these persons are not aware of the
fact. Because the truth is that wherever pets get their food they become
theirs. One can witness this in the practical life if one has eyes to see.

Note 2: This above Baba’s teaching is related not only with domestic
animals but with all animals. Actually, what to say about animals,
unfortunately, these days under the negative influence of capitalism, human
beings have degenerated to the level of such animals in that they are
equally self-centered, living only for themselves, and not caring about
others. In (a) capitalist countries and (b) metropolitan cities around the
globe, such people are commonly available. They are so self-centered that
they never care about others– not even their own off-spring. Such crude
and selfish people are worse than animals in human form. This entire scene
is the negative outcome of capitalism– which itself converts humans into
beasts. Capitalist-minded people are the epitome of that; and they may even
be regarded as common citizens. Then selfish mentality is the root cause of
all the problems.
***************************************

O’ my Bandhu, O’ my dearmost, You are my very close and intimate One.
What song should I sing to please You. You are aware about my longing.
Baba, You are my Love, You are the personification of hope, saturated in
sweetness.You are my heart of hearts– and my everything.

Baba, since that very first day when You blessed me by bringing me in
Your closeness under Your care, since then by Your grace I have
understood that You are my shelter; You are doing everything for me.
Also since that very day, with Your divine touch You have blessed me
with a new life, O my Bandhu and most intimate one. By Your causeless
grace my way of living got transformed from a worldly existence into
life divine. Since then everything has become blissful.

O’ my Lord, on that most blessed day You graciously caressed me with
Your soft lotus hand. In that atmosphere of the blissful early morning
dawn, the lotus flowers were blossoming in the pond and spreading their
aroma all around. Then by Your infinite grace You pulled me very close
to You and graciously placed me on Your Lap and loved me; and by placing
Your hand on top of my head, You bathed me with divine effulgence. And
You granted me ever thing. What You have done is unparalleled.

Baba, You are love personified; You are my most dear; You are my
everything…

Note 1: Usually people think that the term ‘Bandhu’ means ‘friend’ but
in AM devotional life it is not like that. Bandhu means something much
more.

Baba says, “‘Bandhu’ means ‘those within the bondage of love’. That is
when one can not tolerate the idea of separation it is called ‘Bandhu’.
Now you see in this world have you got any Bandhu? No. Even your friend,
your best friend– he also did not come at the same time as you and
after leaving the cremation ground, there is permanent separation. He
will be with you up to the cremation ground. After your cremation he
won’t be with you. So he is not Bandhu– he is not friend for he can
tolerate the idea of separation.” “So who is the real friend? Parama
Purusa. When you are in this physical framework– in this
quinquelemental framework, He is with you, with your body, with your
mind and with your spirit. After death, He will be with your mind, with
your soul. When the body will be lost, the body will become one with the
earth but mind and spirit will remain, He will be with you. So He is the
real friend, He is the real Bandhu. And there cannot be any mundane
friend, mundane Bandhu.” (AV-12)

== HOW TO IMPROVE SADHANA: Part II ADDENDUM ==

Namaskar,
Recently, two letters were posted on the first point of Sixteen Points:

I spoke to one acarya about point #1, “After urination, wash the urinary
organ with water”, and in addition to agreeing with all points in the
above two letters he had some other interesting knowledge to share. It
is that which I pass on to you here.

In addition he addressed the problem of life adjustment regarding the
amount of water after urination. This is also discussed in greater
detail below in this mail, however in a nutshell Dadaji stated that
while on tour/traveling he may just carry a 100ml bottle of water to use
after urination, but quickly added that whenever he is in a domicile or
jagrti then he most definitely switches over to a 1 litre container and
uses that entire amount after urination, as the benefits are quite clear
and readily apparent.

Now let’s get into the details.

PURPOSE OF POURING LOTS OF WATER

Here are some of the great benefits of pouring one full litre of water
or more over the genitals during and after urination.

1. It cools down the genitalia and that keeps the tamasik vrtti in
check. By keeping that area cool by using lots of water, then that
tamasik vrtti will not dominate the mind. This is one tremendous benefit
for any sadhaka, and verily every person.

2. Pouring large amounts of cold water over the pubic region creates an
exchange of blood in that area which bring freshness to both body and
mind. That circulation of blood nourishes all the glands, organs, nerves
and cells of that region.

3. The muscles, nerves and overall biological system get strengthened by
the use of adequate amounts (1 litre or more) of cold water.

4. It will prevent and eliminate bladder problems faced by older people
who cannot control the flow of urine during the nighttime. That happens
because the muscles and nerves weaken over time, but when cold water is
regularly used then those bodily systems remain strong and in tact, in
which case one will not suffer from that problem in old age.

5. One other great benefit of using 1 litre of water or more over the
entire genital area is that it will ensure that all excess urine is
removed from the urinary tract, as well as from the bladder. This keep
the body clean and disease free.

TRY IT AND SEE FOR YOURSELF

Then acaryaji told the we should all experiment because by doing it once
we would see a huge difference.

Indeed if anyone just pours one spoonful of water on the pinpoint of the
genital then there will be a little benefit and perhaps a touch more
urine will release; but then if you pour a minimum of one litre of cold
water over the entire pubis region and groin, then very soon all the
leftover urine that was in the bladder will easily empty. You will see
at minimum 100ml or 200ml of urine release from the bladder. Normally
that urine in the bladder will not release, but when a full litre of
water is used, then it will. Whereas if just a little water is used then
that urine remains in the bladder and even in the urinary tract itself –
in which case it will crytallise and block the flow of urine.

Everyone is encourage to try and experience this for themselves, and of
course many margiis may already be using this amount of water, i.e. 1
litre.

PROBLEMS AFTER 50 OR 60 YEARS OF AGE

If you pour a small mount of water, such as only one spoonful or even
just half a cup, then the entire pubic area remains warm. In that case
the blood just stagnates; it does not vigorously circulate as when a
full litre or more of cold ware is used. Hence the muscles will not get
nourished or strengthened.

After years of not getting adequate nourishment, those muscles and
nerves become weak. That is why when people reach 60 years of age, many
lose control over the flow of their urine. On an involuntary basis,
urine just releases. That is why older people have to use pads or
diapers in their undergarments. It is unfortunate that many have to face
this humiliation when it is so preventable by using an adequate amount
of water.

Of course this happens with kids too because they do not have the
requisite strength to control their urination; hence they do “bed
wetting” etc. But in later childhood that strength or ability to control
develops. Naturally then all adults have that control as well. Just they
lose it over time. However, this is not an eventuality or function of
age; it is a function of poor life practices. If one pours an adequate
amount of water over the entire publis region, then those nerves and
muscles will remain strong even into very late age. Then one will have
proper control over the flow or urine.

Unfortunately, most of the population is unaware about this so it has
turned into a serious problem with the elderly – then 99% of the people
seem to suffer in this way.

YOUR CHOICE

All in all this is a well proven formula: It is your choice whether you
want to use one spoonful or one litre of water during and after urination.

SIMILAR TO NATUROPATHY

In naturopathy, a similar cooling technique is used to heal and cure the
body of problems and Baba has given this as a tub bath (Reference CC-3,
‘Different Yogic Practices: Vistrta sna’na or vya’paka sna’na). In this
practice the corp is soaked, but the limbs remain outside the tub. This
water therapy is used to treat various diseases.

Here the whole point is that cool or cold water is needed to both
maintain and cure the body.

If a certain part is weak or diseased then the treatment is to pour cold
water over it and by that way the blood will rush all around. Due to
this exchange of blood, the diseased area gets properly nourished. If
cold water is not used, then there is no exchange of blood and hence no
nourishment – it is then that that gland becomes weak and susceptible to
disease.

So we should all be vigilant to use at least a litre of cold or cool
water after and during urination.

HALF BATH & BABA’S INSTRUCTIONS

So the technique of using a full litre or more of cold water after
urination has many, many benefits. This pouring of water around the
genital area is highly important when doing half-bath too; this is a
well-known practice in Ananda Marga.

When Baba first introduced the checking of 16 pts then during dharma
samiiksa He explained that when doing half bath then one must pour water
over the whole area from the low belly to the feet. That is the best way
to do half-bath and that is Baba’s system. It is not just that water is
sprinkled on the toes and the tip of the genital. Rather from the navel
all the way down, lots of water is to be poured in order to cool that
entire region. Then one will get the true benefits of half-bath. That is
Baba’s system.

UNIVERSAL APPLICATION OF AM TEACHINGS

Even after understanding all of the above, my acarya said that there are
a few wts who simply think that using 100ml of water is the way – since
that is how they do it while traveling.

But we should understand that the teachings of Ananda Marga are
universal in nature – they are for all. On this earth there are some
places that are extremely cold and other areas that are totally desert
and suffer from a scarcity of water, in that case Baba gave the common
solution that using even a little water is acceptable. Likewise when
acaryas are traveling by train or plane or bus, they may be carrying
just a small shaoca manjusa, in which case using a little water is
acceptable. It has some benefit – it is better than nothing.

But to get the full benefit, then one must pour one litre or more. Thus,
whenever circumstances permit we should use a full pitcher of water
after urination, not just that small shaoca manjusa we use when traveling.

We must remember that Baba’s teachings are to be practiced – they are
not merely rituals. And by practicing we get the realisation of what
works best. Thus although when traveling we may “adjust” and use a
smaller container of water, whenever possible we should use a full litre
of water, or more. Try it just once and see the benefit.

Like all His guidelines, we should follow Baba’s teachings of point #1
of Sixteen Points in a rational manner, and not as a ritual or rigid
format.

So that is the answer to some who think that since it is not practical
to use a lot of water when traveling then it is fine to not use a lot of
water when at home or in a jagrti.

BABA’S BLESSING

By His grace He has given us all the teachings for living a healthy life
– one which is disease-free. Point #1 of Sixteen Points has much value.
By following it and sharing it with others, to margiis and non-margiis
alike, then they too can get the benefit. On this matter, as with all
His teachings, we should guide and serve as many as we can.

Baba says, “…In order to march ahead on the road of human welfare, we
will have to strengthen ourselves in all the arena of life. The complete
seeds of welfare in all the spheres – physical, mental, moral, social
and spiritual – are embedded in the sixteen points. Hence be firm on the
sixteen points.” (A’nanda Va’nii #45)

Namaskar,
Nagendra

Note 1: COLD TUB BATH IN ANANDA MARGA

Baba says, “The practices given below are prescribed only for specific
diseases. Therefore, they are to be performed only after consultation
with an a’ca’rya.”

“(1) Vistrta sna’na or vya’paka sna’na: A bathtub is most convenient,
but if this is not available, an earthen trough will suffice. If this is
not available either, a wet towel can be used, soaking it repeatedly in
water. Fill the bathtub with cold water, and sit in it undressed so that
the area from the navel down remains submerged. Keep your feet dry and
out of the tub. The area from the neck to the navel should be kept
covered with a shirt or dry cloth. The crown of the head and the back of
the head should be kept covered with a wet towel.”

“Now take another towel and rub the area from the right side of the
abdomen to the groin seven or eight times. Do likewise on the left-hand
side and horizontally from right to left and left to right. You should
make sure that the towel on the head remains wet.”

“After this, wipe the abdomen, hands and thighs and take a full bath. If
this is not possible, then leave the tub wearing a shirt.”

“This should be practised behind closed doors. In the absence of a
bathtub or an earthen trough, a wet towel may be wrapped around the
areas to be bathed, but in order to compensate, cold water must be
poured constantly over the towel, and the towel which is to be used for
the massage must be kept wet. After vya’paka sna’na, the thighs, pubic
area and abdomen should be warmed with a dry towel.”

“Before and after this bath one should not eat, in order to allow the
stomach to rest.” (CC-3)

Baba, You have come in my heart when the blissful dawn was glittering in
effulgence. By Your grace, You have wiped away the net of staticity and
crude darkness from my mind. In a flash You have also removed the dogma
which had accumulated since ages. Baba, You are so beautiful.

O’ my dearmost, You know how to make such a divine magical display. By
Your grace You have created a heavenly panorama– complete with the beauty
and grandeur of colour, by Your divine play. Baba, in the blink of the eye,
You bring lowly and depraved persons close to Your bosom, without making
any differentiation or disparity about who is virtuous and who is sinful.
Baba, You are my beginning as well as my end, my Goal, my everything.

Baba, my whereabouts, my name, my place, my address– everything has become
one with You, by Your grace. Baba I offer You my heartfelt surrender and
sastaunga pranam thousands, millions, crores, & an infinite number of
times– again & again.

Baba, by Your divine grace You have arrived in my heart and showered me
in Your supreme effulgence. You are my own; You are my everything…

== WHO DOES NOT WANT ==

Namaskar,
Every human being wants to be successful. Whether in the realm of art,
law, medicine, schooling, business, literature, science, or architecture
– or any other field or endeavor – everyone wants to be successful.

Knowing how to be successful then is an important recipe.

By Baba’s grace He has given us His special guideline. Because in one
Hindi discourse, Baba reveals that the ‘Seven Secrets of Success’ apply
not just to spiritual life, but to worldly life as well.

Let’s then investigate how these work.

UNIQUE ASPECT OF SHRADDHA’

Of course all the aspects of the Seven Secrets of Success have their own
unique utility. So we shall take a look at how they all apply in this
special circumstance. At the same time in His Hindi discourse Baba gives
marked importance to the point of shraddha’.

As He tells us, there is no direct English translation for the term
shraddha’, yet in its more traditional usage, Baba describes shraddha as
the following.

Baba says, “When one ascribes everything to one’s goal, or one’s object,
or to the Supreme Subjectivity appearing as one’s object, and moves, or
rather directs one’s everything towards Him, then that movement is
shraddha’.” (AV-3)

So in the spiritual realm, shraddha’ means pointing all one’s energy and
love towards Parama Purusa, and not toward any number two or number
three object. Everything is goaded towards Him. This we all know.

The interesting thing becomes, how does this apply to worldly life.

In His Hindi discourse, Baba neatly describes how shraddha’ manifests in
worldly life. Suppose there is a father and a son. The boy wants to
study engineering, but the father is pressuring him to study medicine.
Yet the boy has little or no interest in becoming a doctor. In that
case, if forced to pursue medicine, the boy will not get success.
Because Baba’s entire point is that to get success in worldly life, one
must have inner inspiration or inner motivation for what they are doing.
Then and only then can one get success. That is the key point.

TRAGEDY OF TODAY’S MODERN SOCIETY

Unfortunately, in today’s materialistic society, where money is the
be-all and end-all, so many people in so many lands engage in work or
jobs that they do not care about. They have little or no interest in
their day-to-day endeavour. But they do it to earn money, for prestige,
to please their parents, or to just survive etc. This is the way in
so-called first world and various so-called third world nations.

There are innumerable cases of this round peg in a square hole
phenomenon. That means, there are so many people who have a keen
interest in one realm, but spend all their time doing something else –
either to earn money, or due to family pressures etc. Haven’t we all
gone into a shop or office and noticed that the people working there
appear to be going through the motions like robots and have no real
interest in what they are doing. The same happens in student life as
well when children are pushed by their parents in a particular direction.

In that case, according to Baba, that worker or that student cannot get
success. Because as Baba guides us, one can only be successful if they
have inner motivation and inspiration for what they are doing. That is
the special point Baba is making in His Hindi discourse about how the
Seven Secrets of Success apply to worldly life.

THE OTHER POINTS ARE ALSO MEANINGFUL

Here then are how the other spiritual elements apply to achieving
success in the mundane sphere.

Vishva’s: In spiritual life this means have firm determination for one’s
Goal. Yet Baba guides us that in worldly life this is also needed. If
before studying for an exam, a student thinks that, “I will never be
able to pass”, then they are doomed. Certainly they will not be able to
get success. Similarly, if an adult walks into a job interview thinking
that, “I will not be able to get this job – it is beyond my
qualifications”, then they will have little or no chance of getting that
job. So vishva’s in worldly life is a big point. It refers to having
confidence and a positive outlook before pursuing any endevor.

Guru Puja: In spiritual life, Baba guides us that this means
surrendering to the will of the Guru. Then one can serve and attain Him.
And in worldly life this point of Guru Puja has great importance: It
means having respect or reverence for one’s teacher. Yet in the modern
world, there are so many loopholes and so much rampant hypocrisy that
students & citizens alike lose respect for their teachers and leaders.
Either their teachers punish them unduly or their teachers preach some
ideal such as abstinence or non-smoking, when they themselves are
indulged in that. Likewise, various social leaders preach noble values
yet they themselves are caught up in scandalous affairs. This is a daily
occurrence, and this undermines one’s ability to get success. Because
one loses faith in their teacher or societal leader, in which case they
cannot learn from them.

Samitabhava: In spiritual sphere, this means complete mental balance.
And this same type of psychic equanimity is needed in worldly life. For
instance, if a student or interviewee is very nervous or shy, then they
will not be able to perform well. A student may become so nervous that
they even get easy questions wrong, because they have lost their mental
composure. Likewise, a professional seeking employment or putting on a
presentation may be so shy that they are unable to convey their
skill-set or knowledge to others in the room. And there are so many
other examples. For instance, one’s marriage may end in misery, if one
constantly gets angry or acts in an erratic manner toward their spouse.
So mental balance is highly needed in all aspects of worldly life.

Indriyanigraha: We all know how control over the motor and sensory
organs is needed for success in spiritual life. And same is the case for
worldly life. If a student drinks too much whiskey or beer or wine at a
party, then they will be inattentive in class the next day. Or, they may
sleep through class entirely. Likewise, if a big business executive
indulges in too much gossipy talk, then they will not be prepared for
their meeting or they may underestimate their competition. Because loose
talk diverts the mind from important obligations. It is also commonly
seen how important politicians show sexual weakness and this can
undermine if not ruin their entire career. So having proper restraint
and control regarding the ten indriyas is highly needed to gain worldly
success.

Pramitahara: Just as proper attention to diet and food is needed in
spiritual life, it is also needed for mundane success. If a student
overeats then they will not be mentally sharp for their examination.
Similarly, if a person grossly overeats time and time again, they will
become obese, in which case they will suffer from all kinds of ailments
from shortness of breath to heart disease, and that will keep them from
discharging their duties properly. So food and drink must serve to keep
one healthy and fit. Then only can one get success in worldly endeavors.

No Seventh Factor: The same is true in worldly life as in spiritual life.

Baba says, “There is no seventh factor. That is, if you practise these
six factors, you require no seventh factor.” (AV-3)

LIVING IN TODAY’S ULTRA-COMPETITIVE WORLD

Today’s world is more competitive than ever. Getting success is not
easy. The standards are high and the competition is tough. Whether it be
the global economic market, the political arena, student life, or any
other realm, day by day the requirements for getting success get stiffer
and stiffer. There is no such thing as an easy victory anymore. There
are too many people gunning for the same thing. So if we are slack in
any of the above points, then someone with a more pointed vision will
come forward. In that case, success will not be ours. Because living in
today’s world is not a joke.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace He has blessed us all with great teachings which lead us
to success. And in His Hindi discourse, Baba has given us the way to
utilize the Seven Secrets of Success in our worldly endeavours. So we
should pay heed to this doctrine not just in spiritual life but in all
our worldly dealings as well.

Baba says, “You, boys and girls, should remember the points and do
accordingly. It will help you in your all-around success.” (AV-14)

Namaskar,
Hariish

*********************************************
Desire For Money is Dangerous

Baba says, “Suppose there is a very elevated person who often ideates on
the Supreme Consciousness, but who has some greed for wealth. He does
not, however, express it openly to the Supreme, nor does he even think
of it directly. He thinks indirectly, “Oh, since I am a devotee of the
Supreme Consciousness, He will certainly give me enormous wealth and
make me immensely rich.” Those who harbour this sort of covert desire
are reborn asyaks’as.” (YP, p.78)

Note: Yaksas are one type of negative microvita. Those unfortunate
beings who got degenerated and took on a form less than human,
sub-human. Not only that but they got caught up in that bondage of
punishment for thousands of years. And only then after their extreme
punishment did they again get opportunity for human life.
*********************************************

PS Intro: In this following song Parama Purusa is posing His questions &
speaking directly to the devotee.

“Kon aja’na’r buk theke ele, korn asiime bhese ja’o…” (PS 2222)

Purport:

From which unknown bosom have You come and what is your goal. In which
direction are you floating. You must know you are not meagre or
insignificant. You are the expression of Cosmic Consciousness. He has
created you according to His desire; You are within Him. Now tell me what
you want; what are your desires and longings. You should know that your
Goal is the Parama Purusa.

For ages You remained oblivious of your own existence; era after era
passed like that. You were seeking the answer to all your worries,
anxieties, and problems externally. You were trying to find happiness
outside; and, you were trying to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger
from material things. You never tried to look within.

Everything is hidden within you. Look within and you will get
everything. Just you have to turn your eyes from outside to inside. Divert
your vision from external to internal.

The Divine Entity– who is your everything, who is your shelter– He
knows each and everything about you. He knows your past, present, and
future– everything. And He loves you too.

Your future is situated in Him up to eternity. Yet forgetting this
eternal and divine truth, what are you looking for. Do not waste your time.
The Divine Entity has bestowed you with human life. Utililse it to satisfy
Him. Do everything according to His wishes. By this way your coming on this
earth will be successful…

== HOW TO IMPROVE SADHANA: PART 2 ==

Namaskar,
Recently the discussion was raised about Sixteen Points. As a follow-up
reply, here are some further thoughts and reflections; and others are
requested to also share their insights and experiences. By that way we can
all grow in one harmonious manner.

SIXTEEN POINTS BRINGS FORCE IN THE LIFE

As we are all aware, Revered Baba graciously introduced Sixteen Points just
prior to the jail period and Emergency, as He wanted everyone to be
prepared and ready to deal with the dangers and difficulties to come. Or to
say more strongly, by this way we Ananda Margiis will be able to overcome
and annihilate the demonic forces.

And certainly who cannot recall that if anyone ever visited Baba in jail
and if they told Him about the problems and difficulties which sadhakas or
the organisation was facing, then always Baba’s reply was to be strict in
sixteen points– and by that way everything will be alright and you will be
victorious.

Baba says, “Be firm on sixteen points. Unite all the righteous forces. All
the tall talks of the evil forces will be silenced.” (Ananda Vanii #44)

So this is the special blessing which Baba has been given. And it applies
universally to each and every circumstance in life. Thus 16 Points
generates tremendous vitality and force.

Hence when 16 Points is such an essential part of our very existence, it is
helpful for us to know all the ‘ins and outs’ of these precious guidelines.
In that spirit, here below is some historical, social, and practical
aspects of the first point of 16 Points.

RISHIS FIRST INTRODUCED THE ‘USE OF WATER’

Long back in India, thousands and thousand of years ago, various rishis and
seers of the society introduced the idea that water plays an important role
in life– especially for health, hygiene, and proper maintenance of the
human body. And they introduced the idea to the old Indian society that
water should be used for washing before and after meals, before cooking,
and those rishis also told that one should wash with water after passing
stool as well as after urination etc. All these points they told.

And we have to remember that this was all given in that pre-historic era in
and around the ice-age when the general population around the globe was
hardly even aware about hygiene; rather they were more involved in
animalistic type of living. Yet in that historical context, those rishis
introduced certain sentient habits to the Indian populace.

So since long these things were happening in India. Yet over the course of
time some degeneration occurred and the general populace lost the idea of
using water after urination. But the practice of washing the body with
water after defecation did not get lost– primarily because people
understood that it was obviously dirty. So they were conscious about that
aspect at least. That was the case in India.

Yet in many of our so-called first world countries outside India, that
basic awareness of hygiene never developed. In which case water was not
even used for cleaning the anus after passing stool. Just dry paper was
used. And about this practice more is said down below, but here the point
is that still most of our first-world nations continue with this dirty
habit of using toilet paper. And even more tragic is that inhabitants of
some third world countries have begun emulating everything that the
so-called developed world does– including using toilet paper.

Indeed a report has come that certain Didis in India are also
resorting to the use of toilet paper. This is the new fad in WWD,
some say.

Yet this crude habit of using toiler paper is not at all hygienic or
healthy. Unfortunately on this point, an imbalance is growing all around.

Thus we are left with this following quagmire: Namely that when animals do
not wash their backside with water and when humans also are not doing, then
from the perspective of hygiene what is the practical difference between
the two. Unfortunately, this is the sad state of affairs in the general
society.

BABA RE-INTRODUCES THE POINT OF WATER

Thus during His Holy advent Baba has given the dharmic approach in each and
every sphere of life. And in that course, He has given the point that how
and when water should be used. And as we all know the following stands as
the first point of 16 Points:

“After urination, wash the urinary organ with water”.

Here below is a further look at the meaning of this simple yet
all-important guideline.

TELLING THE NEEDFUL

As we know Guru’s teaching is always concise and pointed. What was needed
to tell, He has beautifully revealed. And what was not needed, He did not
tell.

For example the Indian society was prone toward idol worship so Baba was
very strict and He has warned everyone that idol worship should not be
done. But never once did He warn people not to flap their arms and fly to
the sun since no one was ever going to do like that.

Secondly, it was obvious that people had the negative tendency to create
tiirthas (pilgrimmages). That is why for fourteen long years Baba did not
go to Jamalpur. And from 1965 up to 1990 Baba never emphasized the
importance of Jamalpur or any such place. Rather on numerous occasions He
has guided us that external tiirthas are nothing but one nasty dogma,
because Parama Purusa is everywhere.

Similarly Baba has guided us to trim our fingernails but never did He tell
us to cut the horns on top of our head. Because when we do not have horns
then what was the need to tell anything about that.

Likewise human beings have the natural tendency to live outside of the
water, that is why there was no need for Baba to guide people to live
primarily on land. Because human beings are already doing like that.

The sense is that when people are naturally following any given point then
what is the need for Baba to give that as a rule.

Thus when 16 Points itself was first given in India and when at that time
the general populace was already using water for washing after defecation
then there was no need for Baba to tell that point. But since everyone had
lost the notion of washing with water after urination, then there was the
practical need for Baba to give that teaching.

Hence Guru’s instruction is very pointed and precise– perfect. And He
always gives what is needed.

SOME NOT AWARE

Thus Baba has given point #1 of sixteen points as: After urination wash the
urinary organ.

And by this way anyone can understand that included in this is the idea of
washing the backside after passing stool also.

Unfortunately, as mentioned above, all around the globe in most of the
so-called advanced societies the general people are only using toilet paper
or blotting paper as a means to “clean” themselves after defecation. But
this is not at all proper. Rather such persons are totally lacking any kind
of hygienic sense.

Because just see, here is the proof of their foolishness. When they want to
clean the stool or excrement out of their toilet bowl, then they use a huge
amount of water. And by that way they see & feel satisfied that indeed
their toilet bowl has become clean. So they never try to clean their toilet
bowl by only using dry papers. Because they know that such paper alone will
not rid the toilet of all that excrement. It just will not work. Thus they
understand that water is needed to clean the toilet.

Yet when the moment of truth comes to cleanse their own backside of fecal
matter, then they do not rely on that same fine logic. Rather they revert
to their dogmatic mind-set that toilet paper alone is sufficient. As if
toilet paper can do the job. But anyone with eyes to see– or any hygienic
sense– will understand that this is just not so.

So see the contradiction and poor hygienic sense of so many of our
so-called first world nations.

NOT THEIR FAULT

But actually those common people who are not aware about or not habituated
to using water are not to be blamed. It is never anyone’s fault for being
downtrodden, ignorant, or dirty. Rather it is our fault for not bringing
them onto the path of light.

Because Baba always guides us we should never blame those innocent people
from parts of the globe like our remote African jungles for their
“backwardness”. Because it is our wrongdoing for not helping them to develop.

Similarly our European & western nations that could not develop a proper
sense of hygiene should not be blamed. Just we should take care to show
everyone the proper way.

CONCENTRATED TEACHING

In all the realms Baba’ teachings are crystallized points of dharma– very
concise. So to properly understand any guideline or teaching, it demands a
little concentration or mental thought.

For example a group of fools may think that by walking together to
McDonalds for a hamburger then they are following Samgacchadvam since they
are all “moving together”. But that is nonsense. Their dealing has nothing
to do with samgacchadvam.

A literal interpretation of Guru’s teachings will never work. Rather more
and more explanation is needed to get the proper picture.

That is why when Baba has given the pin-pointed sutras of Ananda Sutram,
then side by side He also gives a purport so that those distilled
teachings, i.e. sutras, can be understood in the proper way.

Likewise this should be done with each and every aspect of Sixteen Points.
Because Guru’s teaching is distilled and given in seed form.

I hope everyone will contribute in this regard.

Namaskar,
Rasa Deva

NOTE 1: NEED I FOLLOW ALL THE POINTS OR JUST A FEW

Now some people may carelessly think that it is not needed to follow all
the points. But that is not correct. We should see it in this way:

If a boat is otherwise fine but whether there is one hole or 5 holes or 16
holes, under any of these conditions the ship is going to sink. So best is
that all the holes should be plugged and sealed.

Likewise we should not invite any problem by being loose or slack in any of
the Sixteen Points. Baba has graciously given each and every aspect of 16
Points for a particular reason and each one has its own specialty and use.
So step by step we should be more and more practiced in all the points.

NOTE 2: ALL THE POINTS HELP IN SADHANA

Each and every point of 16 Points is beneficial for our spiritual
development. And all points help a sadhaka do better sadhana. Because a
healthy body and a strong mind are needed to do sadhana. Without a
well-maintained body then sadhana will be disturbed. While a sentient body
will help the mind rush up towards Parama Purusa.

NOTE 3: WASH FULLY AFTER URINATION

As a reminder, for maximum benefit of point #1 it is absolutely necessary
to pour a sufficient amount of water over the entire pubic region. That
means using a full liter or more of cold water. So no one should cheat
themselves by applying a meagre amount and then start wrongly thinking that
they are following 16 Points. Because that is not the way.

NOTE 4: SIXTEEN POINTS GIVES TREMENDOUS STRENGTH

Baba says, “The more rigidly you follow the 16 Points, the more your mental
strength will increase. It will increase so much that it will be more
powerful than the collective mental strength of 100,000 people. In a
psychic clash they will have to concede victory to you…The more rigidly
you follow the 16 Points, the more psychic strength you will acquire. It
will not take you long…Such development will lead to not only 100,000
people surrendering before you, but the entire universe.” (AV-7, p. 80-81)

Baba says, “The mutative force is a hundred thousand times more powerful
than the static force, and the sentient force is a hundred thousand times
more powerful than the mutative force; hence you should not be afraid of
any force in the universe.” (CC-2, ’87 Edn, p.18)

******************************************
Not True Society

Baba says, “If going ahead in mutual adjustment only out of narrow
self-interest or temporary gain is called society, then in such a society,
no provision can be made for the disabled, the diseased or the helpless,
because in most cases nobody can benefit from them in any way. Hence it
will not suffice to say that all people marching ahead is only a collective
form of segregated psychic phenomena; for in that case there always remains
the possibility of some people getting isolated from the collective.”
(AFPS-6, ‘The Spirit of Society’)

Note: Unfortunately what Baba is describing above is the exact picture of
today’s so-called developed western nations where the entire social fabric
is based on people’s various self-interests. In the absence of true service
mentality, everything is done on a give and take basis– business relation.
So long as one has something valuable to give they will recieve something
from others– otherwise not. And in that setting, in that selfish scenario,
those who have strength invariably solidfy their stand by taking advantage
of the common people– BY committing crimes and exploiting them etc. And
simultaneously the weak and the helpless suffer a lot and get stepped on by
the rest of the society until finally they are completely aliented,
depressed, or placed in an insane asylum etc. In that awful circumstance,
people lose all hope in life and fall prey to feelings of insanity and
suicide etc. Unfortunately this is the lowly standard of today’s western
materialistic societies. Tragically these elements are increasing day by
day in our western so-called developeed nations and the people are
suffering terribly. That is why in those places the term ‘society’ is just
a namesake only. Even then all around the globe masses are madly rushing
ahead to copy and emulate the west in all regards. So we should be alert
because this is not some great ideal to be copied. Rather it will create
hell in communities around the globe. That is why Baba says that under such
conditions described above where selfishness and exploitation are the theme
of the day, then that is not at all a true society.
******************************************

Namaskar,
Since Pranavanandaji’s passing three months ago, a battle has been going
on here for control of the school, “Himalayan Institute of Integrated
Therapy”, in Kullu.

Ranchi, EC & B group have been trying to gain control of the school. And
each faction sent a few of their workers to Kullu just after
Pranavananda’s passing to take over the school.

Around that time, Dr Jitendra Singh of SUVA, representing EC group, also
came.

But, at that time, there was no resolution of who should get the school,
“Himalayan Institute of Integrated Therapy”.

(Note: Unfortunately the cowardly founders of the school did not use the
name of Ananda Marga in the title of the school, due to their ulterior
motive.)

Then just 2 weeks ago, we got the report that again Dr Singh came to
India, just for one week with the sole intention of visiting the Kullu
school & to convince local Margiis not to hand over the school to Ranchi
group.

As some may or may not know, Dr Jitendra Singh has put a lot of money
into the school, “Himalayan Institute of Integrated Therapy”, at Kullu –
as have his other Laukik family members. They all financially supported
the Kullu school.

Anyone who has come here and visited the school know there is a lot of
computer equipment & other other costly items on site. Dr Jitendra Singh
came to Kullu primarily because he is worried that he will lose his
investment in equipment at the school. He still harbors the bitter taste
of what happened with the hospital at Ananda Nagar which got captured
during the group clash.

To keep the school, Dr Jitendra Singh tried to convince one EC group
Dada to go there & take charge but that Dada wasn’t interested.

In the end, still today there is boxing going on for who will control
the school at Kullu.

Now is the time the general society needs neo-humanistic teaching of
Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji, and these people are extremely busy in
infighting, wasting their precious time and resources which could have
been used for serving suffering humanity.

Let Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji give these people viveka and vaeragya
so that they can understand the truth that Baba wants samgacchadhvam in
true sense.